(Press Release) Earthy grit. Rootsy and soft. A distinct voice. At its core, Ashley Riley’s music is best described as sophisticated indie/Americana. There’s a dreamy quality to the songs, yet lyrically they capture the essence of the more honest moments of our days: those seemingly ordinary moments that suddenly take your breath away or make you weak in the knees, those moments that prove to us that oftentimes the most extraordinary moments are found in our everyday lives. Riley's 7-song EP, Can’t Let You Go, due out March 3, 2017, takes this sentiment to heart – there is something there that we will all relate to.

For 2016's full-length release (Through The Thin), Riley and her band recorded about 22 songs. It was in going back through those songs and other recordings that had been whittled away from previous records that Riley began to realize she had the makings of an EP. “All of the songs were born out of other sessions,” she says.  “They didn't quite fit the other projects I've put out because they had more of an alt-country flair than the majority of what I was doing at the time, but to me they were still beautiful and important. A few of the songs, like ‘Lovers’ and ‘Tell Me Why,’ go all the way back to 2009. I went through all of my unreleased songs and started taking those pieces and fitting them together.  It just made sense to re-record them and release them together as an EP.” Can’t Let You Go was recorded and produced by Matt Comerford (bass player in the band). Joining Riley and Comerford in the studio once again were Tyler Bundy (lead guitar, pedal steel) and Ian Grindstaff (drums).

​KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Black Lillies began 2017 with a new band member (Haley Cole from Birch, Texas); the European release of their current album,  Hard to Please  on January 20; and a winter European tour prior to returning to American stages — commencing in Texas — for the remainder of the year. Additionally, the new lineup will go into the studio in 2017 to record a new album.
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The Black Lillies’ story is one of hard work and highway miles … a story that traces their evolution from a group of friends making music in songwriter and frontman  Cruz Contreras’ living room into what is now one of Americana’s biggest success stories: an internationally-renowned band of roots-rockers, armed with songs that blur the boundaries among folk, soul, red dirt country, blues and jazz.

​Huntington, NY -- New York native, Bill Scorzari, is set to independently release his sophomore album, Through These Waves, on  March 10, 2017. Produced by Jonah Tolchin (Yep Roc) and engineered, mixed, and mastered by Billy Bennett, the album of  all original material   was recorded over twelve days at the famed  Bomb Shelter in East Nashville  through the studio’s 1970’s MCI console and mixed to tape. In a recent interview with No Depression, Tolchin calls Bill Scorzari, “one of the greatest songwriters I’ve ever heard.” With sincere and robust lyrics, Scorzari’s raspy vocals usher the listener breezily into his world.
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Joining Scorzari on the album are  Joachim Cooder (drums, percussion),  Laur Joamets (electric guitar, slide guitar),  Chris Scruggs (steel guitar),  Will Kimbrough (mandolin, piano),  Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle, viola, cello),  Jon Estes (upright bass, guitar, organ),   Kim Richey (vocals),   Brent Burke (dobro) and more.

"Bill has a scruffy sentimentality that was comforting to behold.” Billy Bennett comments on the recording sessions, “There were humbling moments of marvel for me during the process, as the tremendous cast of musicians populated Bill's emotional landscapes beautifully. I was privileged to have played a part."

​Acclaimed singer/songwriter Pieta Brown will release her new album Postcards on March 10th via Lustre Records. True to its name, Postcards explores the role of distance and isolation through collaboration in which Brown enlisted a guest artist for each track via mail. Today, she released the first single "Street Tracker," premiered by Guitar World, which features guitar legend  Mark Knopfler   who completed the song in London.
 
Listen to "Street Tracker (with Mark Knopfler)" HERE.
 
"The spark for 'Street Tracker' was a photograph I saw of a motorcycle, not long after getting home from being on the road touring. I saw a kind of openness, or freedom, and also a kind of power in the machine," Brown told Guitar World. "I hear and feel this same mix in Mark Knopfler's playing. My vision for the Postcards album was really about open collaborations. And I was lucky enough to send the track to Mark one day and receive his beautiful contribution back shortly after. Mark's songs, sound, and artistry continue to inspire me...to have him play on the track was a true gift!"

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The blues will be coming home to Memphis on January 31st when The Blues Foundation hosts its 33rd annual International Blues Challenge. At this blues summit, musicians from around the globe will battle it out for cash, prizes, and bookings in the Challenge’s half-dozen categories.  

Before the much-anticipated competition begins, however, musicians, blues professionals and fans will first come together for the traditional kick-off concert, the International Showcase. Taking place at the historic  Clayborn Temple  on  January 31, 2017, beginning at 5 p.m., this opening night event features performers — representing Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America — celebrating the blues. You don’t even have to be an IBC pass holder to attend because this show is free and open to the public.  ​